Natalie Thompson Gilmore

Natalie Thompson Gilmore was born May 21, 1929 in Gulfport, Mississippi, the daughter of Cala Sue Henry Thompson, an accomplished artist, and Robert W. Thompson, Jr., a distinguished attorney who argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Natalie grew up on the Gulf coast where she enjoyed reading, riding horses, and sailing with her sister, Barbara, in a boat their father christened the “NakiBo,” a combination of their childhood nicknames. Natalie’s childhood dreams were to run a dude ranch out west or be a veterinarian, a reflection of her love of animals. She debuted and was the Cotillion queen. She majored in English at Ole Miss, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and became a teacher after she graduated.

Natalie committed her life to the Lord, a calling that would define her life. When she became interested in missionary work, her father sought to deflect her from that arduous path by suggesting she attend the Chicago Art Institute where her aunt, Natalie S. Henry, was an established artist. Once she moved to Chicago, she made her way to Garrett Biblical Institute, a seminary at Northwestern University, where she met G. Don Gilmore who was studying for the ministry. They were introduced and began to date. When Don laid out his plans for how he wanted to serve the Lord, their partnership began, a life-defining bond that deepened over 69 years. After they married on December 29, 1953, Natalie and Don moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where Don was the senior minister at Groesbeck Methodist Church and Natalie served beside him. Their four children were born in Ohio.

In 1969, they moved to Spokane, Washington where Don was the senior minister at Plymouth Congregational Church for 37 years. During these years, Natalie served beside him, organizing outreach to those in need. Her prayer ministry was extensive and benefited may. Their children graduated from St. George’s School, Mead High School, and Riverside High School.

In 1997, during a winter of severe ice storms, she was injured by a falling tree. Throughout a difficult rehabilitation, she focused on what she called “the blessings of the tree,” transforming suffering into grace.

In retirement, Natalie and Don moved to Warner Robins, Georgia. After a brief hospitalization, she entered hospice care and passed on February 13, 2022, surrounded by her children and her beloved husband. With love, we give her back to God.

Natalie is survived and will be remembered for her perfect love by her husband; daughter, Sudee LaBuda of Warner Robins, Georgia, her husband, John, son Robert, his wife, Jayne Kelly Labuda, and their children, Elin and Anders, and son, Joey and his wife Jessica LaBuda; daughter, Leigh Gilmore of Cambridge, MA, her husband, Thomas Pounds, and their children Finn and William; son, Don, Jr. of Palm Springs and his wife, Barbara Stroh; and son, David Gilmore of Long Beach, CA and his partner, Kiante Elam. She was predeceased by her younger sister, Barbara Thompson.

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